The spotted-winged fruit bat, (Balionycteris maculata) is the
smallest megabat in the world ,and the only species in the genus Balionycteris.
It inhabits forests in Indonesia and Malays and Thailand.

Spotted-winged fruit bats are unusually small
megabits, with a head-body length of 5 to 7 centimetres (2.0 to 2.8 in), a
wingspan of 28 centimetres (11 in), and an adult body weight of around 13 grams
(0.46 oz). Most of the head and body are covered in thick blackish-brown fur,
while the under parts are a pale grey-brown. Their wings are dark brown, with
distinctive pale cream spots, which are most noticeable on the joints, but are
also found in a variable pattern across the wing membranes. The wings have
been reported to have an aspect ratio of 5.8 and a wing loading of 9.51 N/m2.
There are also pale markings in front of the large eyes, and on the ears, which
are simple in shape, compared with those of microbars. The nostrils are
elongated, and splayed to the side of the snout. The species can be
distinguished from other small fruit bats by the presence of the spots on its
wings, but also by its unusual dental formula of 2.1.3.2 over1.1.3.2

Distribution and habitat

Spotted-winged fruit bats inhabit primary rain forest up to 1,500 metres (4,900
ft) elevation, and coastal mangrove forests. They are found across Malaysia and
Brunei, and in the northern and western parts of the island of Borneo in
Indonesia. At the edges of their range, they have also been reported fromTrang
Province in southernThailand, from a small area in Sumatra, and from the
Riau Archipelago. No subspecies are known.

Behaviour and Ecology

Spotted-winged fruit bats forage in the under story of dense forest where they
feed on a range of generally small, inconspicuous fruit, such as figs and
persimmon, and on some insects and spiders. They spend the day roosting alone or
in small groups consisting of a male and up to nine females and their young.
Rather than remaining with a single male, females may visit up to three
different males. Males return regularly to their roosts during the night,
suggesting that they gain access to females by controlling and defending prime
roosting sites. They generally roost in small groups, huddled together : roosts
typically occur beneath palm leaves, or amongst epiphytes. The absence of such
plants in recently logged forest may encourage these bats to roost under
man-made structures. They have also been recorded roosting in caves.

They forage as individuals, rather than in a group, and rarely travel more than
1 kilometre (0.6 mi) from their roost site. They have been observed to make
high-pitched "peep" noises when foraging, as well as more complex series of
sounds when socialising. Roosts are of a consistent shape and size, and may be
partially excavated by the bats, a behaviour that is otherwise unknown in this
group of animals. They are generally located in the root masses of epiphytic
plants, such as ferns, and also in the nests of ants and termites.
Females give birth to a single young up to twice a year, typically between June
and January. The young are born blind, and weighing around 3.5 grams (0.12 oz),
after a gestation of 135 days. They are weaned by 40-80 days, and are able to
fly by the time they have reached 5 grams (0.18 oz) in weight. Females are
sexually mature at ten months of age.

Major Threat(s):

This species is locally threatened throughout much of
its distribution by deforestation for agriculture, logging and plantations, and
as a result of fire. Scattered populations in Southern Thailand,
Sumatra,
and the Riau Archipelago may be particularly vulnerable (Hodgkison and Kunz
2006).

Conservation Actions:

On the Malay Peninsula and Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and
Western Kalimantan), this species occurs within several reserves and protected
areas, including production forests (Hodgkison and Kunz 2006).